And this is not the extent of the evil.  Holiday feasting undoubtedly has much to do with the excessive use of intoxicants noticeable at such times.  Tempted to overeat by the rich and highly seasoned viands which make up the bill of fare, the heaviness resulting from a stomach thus overburdened creates a thirst not readily satisfied.  A person who has noted how frequently one is called upon to assuage thirst after having eaten too heartily of food on any occasion, will hardly doubt that indigestible holiday dinners are detrimental to the cause of total abstinence.

Then, for the sake of health and the cause of temperance, while an ample repast is provided, let not the bill of fare be so lavish as to tempt to gormandizing; and let the viands be of the most simple and wholesome character practicable, although, of course, inviting.  As an aid in this direction, we offer the following bills of fare;—­

    THANKSGIVING MENUS.

    NO. 1

    Tomato Soap with Pasta d’Italia
    Stuffed Potatoes
    Canned Asparagus
    Pulp Succotash
    Celery
    Graham Grits
    Fruit Rolls
    Graham Puffs
    Buns
    Canned Peaches
    Pumpkin Pie
    Baked Chestnuts
    Grape Apples
    Fresh Fruits

    NO. 2

    Vegetable Oyster Soup
    Potato Puff
    Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    Parsnip Stewed with Celery
    Beet Salad
    Boiled Wheat with Raisins
    Cream Crisps
    Whole-Wheat Bread
    Crescents with Peach Jelly
    Canned Fruit
    Cranberry Tarts
    Almonds and Pecans

    HOLIDAY MENUS.

    NO. 1

    Canned Corn Soup
    Mashed Sweet Potato
    Macaroni with Tomato Sauce
    Canned Wax Beans or Cabbage Salad
    Steamed Rice
    Graham Puffs
    Fruit Bread
    Toasted Wafers
    Canned Strawberries
    Malaga Grapes
    Loaf Cake with Roasted Almonds
    Bananas in Syrup

    NO. 2

    Pea and Tomato Soup
    Ornamental Potatoes
    Scalloped Vegetable Oysters
    Egg and Macaroni
    Farina with Fig Sauce
    Sally Lunn Gems
    Beaten Biscuit
    Graham Bread
    Apply Jelly
    Canned Gooseberries
    Prune Pie with Granola Crust
    Citron Apples
    Pop Corn

[Illustration:  A Picnic Dinner]

PICNIC DINNERS

A picnic, to serve its true end, ought to be a season of healthful recreation; but seemingly, in the general acceptation of the term, a picnic means an occasion for a big dinner composed of sweets and dainties, wines, ices, and other delectable delicacies, which tempt to surfeiting and excess.  The preparation necessary for such a dinner usually requires a great amount of extra and wearisome labor, while the eating is very apt to leave results which quite overshadow any benefit derived from the recreative features of the occasion.  It is generally supposed that a picnic is something greatly conducive to health; but where everything is thus made subservient to appetite, it is one of the most unhygienic things imaginable.